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DnD Lifespans

This mod aims to enhance gameplay by editing the lifespans of the four major races (dwarfs, elves, goblins, and kobolds) in Dwarf Fortress. Their lifespans are now based on values inspired by the Dungeons & Dragons rulebooks.

WARNING: If you want to play with long history, I recommend generating worlds with 0 or 1 secret or stopping generation before it progresses too far. A side effect of this mod is a significant increase in necromancer towers. This happens because individuals reaching middle age may seek out the secrets of life and death. With elves and goblins now experiencing these thoughts, the number of necromancers in the world increases dramatically.

The new lifespans are as follows:
Dwarfs live 200 to 425 years.
Elves live 500 to 1,000 years.
Goblins mature at age 8 and live 30 to 60 years. To compensate for their short lifespans, goblins reproduce in litters.
Kobolds live 50 to 120 years.

I created this mod because I love playing in ancient worlds with over 1,000 years of history. In these worlds, goblins and elves take over nearly every noble position because they never die, which I find frustrating. The lifespan ranges I’ve chosen feel reasonable and create a more dynamic world over time.

When I use this mod, I generate worlds with 1,200 years of history and either 0 or 1 secret. With 1 secret, necromancers emerge, but after a few hundred years, they can dominate the world. With 0 secrets, no necromancers appear at all, which I find boring. Balancing this trade-off has been a fun challenge, and I think this mod strikes a good middle ground if you stop generation early or just play without secrets.

I’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback in the comments. If you have ideas for addressing the necromancer side effect or additional changes that fit this vision, please share! Thanks for checking out my mod, and I hope you enjoy it.

If you REALLY enjoyed it, consider buying me a coffee. :)
[ko-fi.com]